Electrician Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $55,305 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $55,305/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $59,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Electricians in Wake Forest, North Carolina, are witnessing evolving opportunities in light of significant growth in industries such as solar PV, EV charging installations, and data centers. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $55,305, which is about 14.30% lower than the national median of $64,530. Local electricians can expect to earn between $39,368 and $85,723, depending on their experience, specialty, and employer type. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflect a vibrant job market that is being reshaped by technological advancements and sustainable energy trends, making it a potentially lucrative time for skilled electricians in Wake Forest.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,368 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,174 | $20.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,305 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,791 | $34.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,723 | $41.22 |
Median Salary Position
14.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,355 (2026 est.). At $55,305, the local median is 14.3% below the national median of $64,530.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Electrician Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $55,305/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,090 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $64,530 | -14.30% less |
Electricians in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $55,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $56,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A electrician earning $55,305 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,087 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,149
2025 BLS Actual
$54,157
2026 Current Est.
$55,305
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,766 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,457 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,305 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 12.5% from $48,149 (2019) to $54,157 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,329 (17.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,368 – $43,174 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,174 – $55,305 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,305 – $70,791 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,791 – $85,723 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Wake Forest
With only nine electricians currently employed in the area, job competitiveness remains relatively tempered against the backdrop of a cost-of-living index at 93.6, suggesting that purchasing power may be higher in Wake Forest compared to the national average. Employers vary widely in pay structures, with union electrical contractors often offering the most competitive compensation packages due to enhanced benefits and robust pension plans. Non-union and open-shop contractors mainly focus on the residential sector, typically offering lower pay. The disparities in salaries can also be attributed to specialization—fields such as industrial controls, renewables, and data center installations are commanding higher wages. To maximize earnings in this unique market, electricians should consider acquiring master and contractor licenses, aiming for specialties that align with emerging technologies, and exploring potential overtime opportunities.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $54,157 for electriciansin the Wake Forest metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wake Forest is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov